Westhill High dedicates memorial bench to Frank Donatucci

Rich DePreta

Published 7:13 pm, Monday, May 19, 2014

The memorial bench honoring former Westhill baseball coach Frank Donatucci was unveiled just beyond the left field fence at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Monday, May 19, 2014.
Photo: Jason Rearick

The renovation of the Westhill High School baseball field at the J. Walter Kennedy Athletic Complex was completed Monday afternoon as the school dedicated a memorial bench to former Westhill baseball coach and guidance counselor Frank Donatucci.

"Unfortunately there is the tragedy of loss before the dedication of memorials," Westhill athletic director Mike King said. "This isn't a day to mourn. It's a day to celebrate all the things that Frank Donatucci did in his decades at Westhill."

Donatucci, who retired from his guidance counselor career but remained a fixture at Westhill athletic events, died on March 31 from a sudden heart attack while in Florida on vacation.

The inscription on the bench, located behind the new left field fence and next to the batting cage and new bullpen pitching mounds, reads Frank Donatucci -- A True Westhill Icon.

The Westhill baseball team is wearing a sleeve patch (Tooch) this season in Donatucci's honor.

"I'm one of thousands in the Westhill High community who Frank Donatucci impacted positively," King said. "Now Westhill High baseball players for ages to come will ask `Who was Coach Donatucci?' the bench will keep Tooch's legacy going."

"As a school counselor Frank helped countless students navigate difficult decisions in their lives. He was also the best Santa Claus at our annual Christmas parties," Figluizzi said. "Frank Donatucci is part of Westhill High that can't be replaced. All we can be is Westhill and proud."

The Donatucci family was in attendance at the dedication.

"Westhill was a huge part of my dad's life. Even after retirement, he couldn't stay away from Westhill," said Frank's son Matt Donatucci. "My father would be humbled about all this. Westhil High has been so great. The family is so appreciative of everything that has been done."

Westhill High baseball head coach D.J. Mulvany is glad that the project is complete.

"This is a place to reminisce about Frank," Mulvany said. "The bench overlooks the bullpen, the batting cage and the field. He showed a young coach like me the right way. I miss him every day. I touch the patch on my uniform sleeve before I make a lot of decisions during games."